02/01/19 GoLocal Live: "Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas “Lou” Raptakis (D-Dist. 33, Coventry, West Greenwich, East Greenwich) is reintroducing legislation that ties any future increase in the hourly minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index of the Northeast Region.

Raptakis, who introduced the same bill (2018-S 2246) last legislative session, joined GoLocalProv News Editor Kate Nagle at the Rhode Island State House on GoLocal LIVE.

“This proposal will provide wage raises that are needed by individuals earning minimum wage while ensuring that businesses are not overburdened with a dramatic increase that would cause financial hardship for our small businesses,” said Raptakis.

Raptakis also spoke to his support for legislation for a line item veto and an inspector general — and his opposition to Governor Gina Raimondo’s plan to legalize marijuana in Rhode Island in her Fiscal Year 2020 budget proposal."